Requiem for a Super Middleweight

The boxing world loves a good comeback story, and local pugilist Jesús El Martillo González has one of the better tales of redemption weve ever heard.

Widely considered one of the biggest wunderkinds to emerge from Valleys boxing scene, the South Phoenix southpaw turned pro at 18, amassed an impressive 17-0 record, and was even dubbed the next Oscar de la Hoya before suffering a controversial loss to Jose Luis Zertuche in 2005. Even worse, he was unable to fight for a year after his father decked a boxing official, followed by a contract dispute with a crooked promoter that resulted in a two-year hiatus from the sport.

Undaunted, González has fought his way back into contention with and will battle the fearsome Henry Sugar Poo Buchanan for the NABF Super Middleweight Title during a taping of ESPN Friday Night Fights on Friday, July 8, at US Airways Center, 201 East Jefferson Street. The undercard will feature rising star Yaundale Money Shot Evans putting his undefeated streak on against Emmanuel Lucero.